Shelby County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shelby County
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Former Shelby County courthouse in Shelbyville
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Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
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 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Kentucky |
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| Founded | 1792 | ||
| Named for | Isaac Shelby | ||
| Seat | Shelbyville | ||
| Largest city | Shelbyville | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 386 sq mi (1,000 km2) | ||
| • Land | 380 sq mi (1,000 km2) | ||
| • Water | 6.0 sq mi (16 km2) 1.6% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 48,065 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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49,515  |
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| • Density | 124.52/sq mi (48.08/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 4th | ||
Shelby County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. In 2020, about 48,065 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Shelbyville.
Shelby County was created in 1792. It was named after Isaac Shelby, who was the very first Governor of Kentucky. The county's motto is "Good Land, Good Living, Good People." It is also part of the larger Louisville area.
Contents
History of Shelby County
Shelby County was started in 1792. The land for the county came from Jefferson County.
Early Families
One of the first families to settle in Shelby County was the Ketcham family. Daniel Ketcham arrived in 1784. He had been a soldier in the American Revolution. He had nine children. His oldest son, John Ketcham, later moved to Indiana. He became involved in politics and helped start Indiana University.
Another early settler was Thomas Mitchell. He also moved to Shelby County in 1784. Thomas Mitchell was born in 1777 in Augusta County, Virginia. He married Rebecca Ketcham, Daniel Ketcham's daughter. They settled near Clear Creek. Thomas Mitchell became a captain in the local army. He was also a minister in the Methodist Church. He fought in the War of 1812.
Geography and Nature
Shelby County covers about 386 square miles. Most of this is land, with about 6 square miles of water.
Jeptha Knob is the highest point in the Louisville area. It is about 1,188 feet tall. Guist Creek Lake and Marina is a great place for fishing. It has 325 acres of water.
Neighboring Counties
Shelby County shares borders with these other counties:
- Henry County (to the north)
- Franklin County (to the east)
- Anderson County (to the southeast)
- Spencer County (to the southwest)
- Jefferson County (to the west)
- Oldham County (to the northwest)
Main Roads
These are some of the major highways that go through Shelby County:
I-64
US 60
US 421
KY 53
KY 55
Population of Shelby County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 8,191 | — | |
| 1810 | 14,877 | 81.6% | |
| 1820 | 21,047 | 41.5% | |
| 1830 | 19,030 | −9.6% | |
| 1840 | 17,768 | −6.6% | |
| 1850 | 17,095 | −3.8% | |
| 1860 | 16,433 | −3.9% | |
| 1870 | 15,733 | −4.3% | |
| 1880 | 16,813 | 6.9% | |
| 1890 | 16,521 | −1.7% | |
| 1900 | 18,340 | 11.0% | |
| 1910 | 18,041 | −1.6% | |
| 1920 | 18,532 | 2.7% | |
| 1930 | 17,679 | −4.6% | |
| 1940 | 17,759 | 0.5% | |
| 1950 | 17,912 | 0.9% | |
| 1960 | 18,493 | 3.2% | |
| 1970 | 18,999 | 2.7% | |
| 1980 | 23,328 | 22.8% | |
| 1990 | 24,824 | 6.4% | |
| 2000 | 33,337 | 34.3% | |
| 2010 | 42,074 | 26.2% | |
| 2020 | 48,065 | 14.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 49,515 | 17.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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In 2000, there were 33,337 people living in Shelby County. The population density was about 87 people per square mile. By 2020, the population had grown to 48,065 people. The county continues to grow.
The average age of people in Shelby County in 2000 was 36 years old.
Education in Shelby County
Shelby County has two main school districts:
- Shelby County Public Schools
- Eminence Independent School District
Shelby County Public Schools
Shelby County Public Schools has many schools for students. There are six elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Sally Sugg is the Superintendent of Schools.
Here are some of the schools in Shelby County:
Elementary Schools
- Clear Creek Elementary School
- Heritage Elementary School
- Marnel C. Moorman School
- Painted Stone Elementary School
- Simpsonville Elementary School
- Southside Elementary School
- Wright Elementary School
Middle Schools
- Marnel C. Moorman School
- Shelby County East Middle School
- Shelby County West Middle School
High Schools
- Martha Layne Collins High School
- Shelby County High School
Shelby County Public Library
The Shelby County Public Library was built in 1903. It is one of the few Carnegie libraries in Kentucky that still works as a public library today. Pamela W. Federspiel is the executive director.
Communities in Shelby County
Cities
- Pleasureville (partly in Henry County)
- Shelbyville (the main town or county seat)
- Simpsonville
Unincorporated Communities
These are smaller communities that are not officially cities:
- Bagdad
- Chestnut Grove
- Christianburg
- Clark
- Clay Village
- Cropper
- Finchville
- Harrisonville
- Hemp Ridge
- Mt. Eden
- Mulberry
- Olive Branch
- Peytona
- Southville
- Todds Point
- Waddy
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Shelby (Kentucky) para niños
